As many businesses in the town centre close until further notice, Croydon’s Surrey Street Market is one place that is still up and running.

On Monday (March 23) the government ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Surrey Street Market, which is open seven-days-a-week, offers fresh produce, fruits and vegetables.

But in a time where social distancing is the most important thing people can do, a few extra measures have been put in place at the market.

A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “We have supported Surrey Street traders offering essential items including fruit, vegetables and soap, to remain open in line with government advice.

“A number of measures have been put in place to ensure traders and the public adhere to social distancing guidelines, including stalls being kept four metres apart and signs and markings placed on the floor to help keep shoppers two metres away from each other.”

Surrey Street Market is one of the oldest markets in Britain and has been operating since 1276.

And while supermarkets across Croydon are experiencing empty shelves, shoppers may have a better chance of getting hold of fresh produce at the market.

On Saturday (March 21) before stricter rules were put in place Croydon councillor Sean Fitzsimons tweeted that there was still a “good stock” of fruit and vegetables at the market.

And the market has been a good source of ingredients for the Mr Fox bar in Surrey Street.

While the bar is now closed following last week’s order from the Prime Minister the owners are now preparing meals for staff at Croydon University Hospital.

In a post on Facebook on Wednesday (March 25), owners wrote: “Thanks to the traders on Surrey Street Market we can continue to do our bit and feed NHS Croydon University Hospital Staff. The next meals will be going tonight.”

They asked for any local meat or fish supplier willing to donate goods to get in touch.

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here